Testing device and method for viscosified fluid containing particulate material

A method of testing a fluid containing particulate, wherein the fluid has a viscosity that decreases while being stirred at a constant rotational speed, comprising the steps of:

• placing a sample of the fluid containing the particulate in a slurry cup having at least two inward projections extending inward from an inside surface of the slurry cup;
• connecting the slurry cup in a viscometer having an axial support from which at least two outward projections extend outward;
• increasing pressure in the connected slurry cup such that pressure on the fluid containing the particulate in the slurry cup is greater than atmospheric pressure;
• heating the fluid containing the particulate in the slurry cup to a temperature greater than ambient temperature;
• creating continuous relative movement between the slurry cup and the axial support such that the inward and outward projections impart a stirring force in the fluid containing the particulate;
• measuring torque related to creating the relative movement between the slurry cup and the axial support;
• and
• analyzing the measured torque to detect an increase in the torque indicative of the onset of particulate settling;
• whereby elastic particulate transport occurs during a period of time before the onset of particulate settling, substantially all the particulate remains suspended in the fluid during the period of elastic particulate transport, viscous settling occurs during a period of time after the onset of particulate settling, and substantially all the particulate settles out of the fluid during the period of viscous settling.